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THE BUILDING OF THE COMPTON HILL WATER TOWER WAS PART OF A CIVIC PLAN TO HELP BRING WATER TO A GROWING COMMUNITY The Tower was built in a French Romanesque style of rusticated limestone, buff brick and terra cotta on its face. On the base are a griffin and vine-like scrolls. Inside, 198 iron steps spiral around the standpipe, ending in an observation deck where visitors can enjoy a 360-degree view of the City. WATER TOWER BECOMES PART OF CITY’S ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE |
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Copyright © 2004 By The Water Tower and Park Preservation Society Web Site Design and
Development by |
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Toward the end of
the 19th century the growing metropolitan area’s
demand for water was outgrowing its existing water delivery system.
The pumps that were used to send water through the City created dangerous
surges in water pressure. To equalize that pressure a standpipe measuring
five feet wide by 100 feet tall was built. But while this satisfied
the
functional needs of the system, it did nothing to satisfy the need
for beauty and architectural ornamentation of the era. Thus the Tower
was
erected in 1898 to camouflage the standpipe.
As the city continued
to develop other options for water service were built and by 1929 the
Compton Hill Tower was no longer needed
and was
retired. By this time it had hosted thousands of people who came
to see it, to make the climb to the top and to just enjoy the
beautifully landscaped
park. It was a great favorite during the 1904 World’s Fair.
The Tower was occasionally opened so visitors could once again
make the climb
to the top but had to be closed to the public in 1984 when it
was discovered that asbestos surrounded part of the tank on the
Tower’s
interior. For more than ten years the Water Tower stood untouched
and began to
deteriorate badly. Large cracks were forming, windows were missing
or broken, and the terra cotta roof needed repairs. Architectural
detail
on walls had weathered away. In 1995 the City was faced with
the possibility of demolishing the Tower. Residents and neighborhood
associations in
the areas around the Tower immediately raised an outcry and offered
to work with the City in repairing and maintaining the structure.
Their
voices were heard.
In 1999, the completion
of a $19 million renovation was celebrated with a festival that included
food, music, entertainment and
tours of the
Tower. Since then, under the stewardship of members of the
Water Tower & Park
Preservation Society, Inc., the Tower has been open several times for
neighborhood celebrations. The Society currently includes over 125 friends
and supporters and is led by a volunteer Board of Directors that works
closely with the Water Division to continue to preserve and improve the
Tower and its surroundings. Currently the Society is working on a long-term
master plan that will recreate the historical landscape design of the
park, restore its original ponds and fountains, develop space allocated
for large gatherings renovate the historic landscape, restore the park’s
public restrooms and amend the park’s accessibility. The Society
welcomes new members. If you are interested, please